coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈden-tᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidental deaths

Synonyms

• coincident
• concurrent
• synchronous
• synchronic

Examples of coincidental in a Sentence

The fact that he and his boss went to the same college was purely coincidental.

the nearly coincidental deaths of Princess Diana and Mother Teresa

Recent Examples on the Web

Law enforcement has not connected the incidents, despite the coincidental timing. —Amber Corrine, VIBE.com, 12 Sep. 2025

The timing, although likely coincidental, illustrated the dilemma Democrats currently face. —Mabinty Quarshie, The Washington Examiner, 11 Sep. 2025

According to court filings, the 9/11 Commission was aware of the hijackers dealing with Bayoumi and Thumairy and viewed them as coincidental. —Michael Loria, USA Today, 11 Sep. 2025

Any resemblance to real-life megalomaniacal blowhards in positions of power are anything but coincidental. —David Fear, Rolling Stone, 7 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

coincident + -al entry 1

First Known Use

circa 1800, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for coincidental

• developmental
• environmental
• experimental
• intersegmental
• nongovernmental
• transcontinental
• unsentimental
• accidental
• compartmental
• continental
• detrimental
• elemental

Kids Definition

coincidental

adjective

co·​in·​ci·​den·​tal (ˌ)kō-ˌin(t)-sə-ˈdent-ᵊl 

1

: resulting from a coincidence

a coincidental resemblance

2

: occurring or existing at the same time

coincidentally

-ˈdent-lē

-ᵊl-ē

adverb